U.S. patent application number 10/453741 was filed with the patent office on 2004-12-09 for mounting member with snap in swivel member.
Invention is credited to Attee, Keith S..
Application Number | 20040245416 10/453741 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33489604 |
Filed Date | 2004-12-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040245416 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Attee, Keith S. |
December 9, 2004 |
Mounting member with snap in swivel member
Abstract
A mounting assembly for pivotally mounting a workpiece holder to
a support structure includes a mounting member having an opening at
least partially therethrough and a swivel member. The swivel member
has a generally cylindrical passageway therethrough for at least
partially receiving a support structure. The swivel member defines
a truncated, generally spherical shaped swivel member having a
curved outer surface for engaging an inner surface of the opening
of the mounting member. The swivel member includes a reduced
diameter or chamfered portion at the outer surface to facilitate
insertion of the swivel member into the opening of the mounting
member, whereby the swivel member is substantially retained within
the opening after insertion therein. The mounting member may be a
mounting bracket for adjustably mounting to a workpiece holder or
may be a mounting block which is attachable to a workpiece
holder.
Inventors: |
Attee, Keith S.;
(Charlevoix, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
VAN DYKE, GARDNER, LINN AND BURKHART, LLP
2851 CHARLEVOIX DRIVE, S.E.
P.O. BOX 888695
GRAND RAPIDS
MI
49588-8695
US
|
Family ID: |
33489604 |
Appl. No.: |
10/453741 |
Filed: |
June 3, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/214 ;
248/229.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16M 13/02 20130101;
F16C 11/106 20130101; F16M 11/14 20130101; F16C 11/0614 20130101;
B25B 5/147 20130101; F16M 2200/024 20130101; F16M 2200/022
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/214 ;
248/229.1 |
International
Class: |
E04G 003/00 |
Claims
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or
privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A mounting assembly for adjustably receiving a support
structure, said mounting assembly comprising: a mounting member
having an opening at least partially therethrough, said opening
defining an inner surface; a swivel member having a generally
cylindrical passageway therethrough for at least partially
receiving the support structure, said swivel member comprising a
truncated generally spherical shaped swivel member having a curved
outer surface for engaging said inner surface of said opening of
said mounting member, said outer surface of said swivel member
including a reduced diameter portion to facilitate insertion of
said swivel member into said opening of said mounting member,
whereby said inner surface of said opening is configured to
substantially retain said swivel member within said opening after
insertion of said swivel member into said opening.
2. The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein said swivel member
defines a split member with a gap extending therealong.
3. The mounting assembly of claim 2, wherein said reduced diameter
portion is generally adjacent to said gap.
4. The mounting assembly of claim 3, wherein said reduced diameter
portion comprises a chamfered portion adjacent to said gap.
5. The mounting assembly of claim 2, wherein said mounting member
defines a second gap at said opening, a diameter of said opening
being adjustable via compression and expansion of said second
gap.
6. The mounting assembly of claim 5 including an adjustable
fastener generally at said opening, said fastener being adjustable
to adjust a clamping force of said swivel member on the support
structure received at least partially through said passageway via
expansion or compression of said gap and said second gap.
7. The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein said reduced diameter
portion of said swivel member comprises a chamfered portion on said
curved outer surface.
8. The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein said swivel member
includes a plurality of grooves extending along said outer surface,
said grooves enhancing gripping of said swivel member within said
opening.
9. The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein said mounting member
includes a beveled portion around said opening.
10. The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein said mounting member
comprises a mounting bracket for mounting a workpiece holder to a
support structure.
11. The mounting assembly of claim 10, wherein said mounting member
defines a second opening for at least partially receiving a
mounting portion of the workpiece holder.
12. The mounting assembly of claim 11, wherein said mounting member
defines a first gap at said opening and a second gap at said second
opening, a clamping force at said opening and said second opening
being adjustable via compression and expansion of said first and
second gaps.
13. The mounting assembly of claim 12, wherein said mounting member
comprises a unitary mounting bracket.
14. The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein said mounting member
comprises a rear mounting block for a workpiece holder and is
configured to mount to a portion of the workpiece holder, said
swivel member being configured to at least partially receive the
support structure to adjustably mount the workpiece holder at the
support structure.
15. The mounting assembly of claim 14, wherein said mounting member
defines a gap at said opening, a clamping force at said opening
being adjustable via compression and expansion of said gap.
16. The mounting assembly of claim 15, wherein said mounting member
comprises a unitary mounting block.
17. The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein said inner surface of
said opening comprises a curved surface having an arcuate cross
section for engaging said outer surface of said swivel member when
said swivel member is inserted into said opening.
18. The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein said mounting member
comprises a unitary mounting member.
19. A workpiece holder mounting assembly for mounting a workpiece
holder to a support structure, said mounting assembly comprising: a
bracket member defining a first generally circular opening for
receiving a mounting portion of the workpiece holder at least
partially therethrough and a second opening for adjustably
receiving the support structure at least partially therethrough; a
swivel member configured to be adjustably received in said second
opening, said swivel member comprising a truncated generally
spherical shaped swivel member having a curved outer surface for
engaging an inner surface of said second opening, said swivel
member defining a passageway therethrough for receiving the support
structure, said swivel member comprising a reduced diameter portion
of said curved outer surface to facilitate insertion of said swivel
member into said second opening of said bracket member, whereby
said inner surface of said second opening is configured to
substantially retain said swivel member within said second opening
after insertion of said swivel member into said second opening.
20. The mounting assembly of claim 19, wherein said swivel member
comprises a split member with a gap extending therealong, a
clamping force of said swivel member on a structure received at
least partially through said passageway being adjustable via
expansion or compression of said gap.
21. The mounting assembly of claim 20, wherein said reduced
diameter portion is generally along and adjacent to said gap.
22. The mounting assembly of claim 21, wherein said reduced
diameter portion comprises a chamfered portion along and adjacent
to said gap.
23. The mounting assembly of claim 22, wherein said bracket member
comprises a unitary bracket member.
24. The mounting assembly of claim 19, wherein said bracket member
defines a first gap at said first opening, a diameter of said first
opening being adjustable via compression and expansion of said
first gap.
25. The mounting assembly of claim 24, wherein said bracket member
defines a second gap at said second opening, a diameter of said
second opening being adjustable via compression and expansion of
said second gap.
26. The mounting assembly of claim 25 including a first adjustable
fastener generally at said first opening and a second adjustable
fastener generally at said second opening, said first and second
fasteners being adjustable to independently adjust a clamping force
of said bracket member at a respective one of said first and second
openings.
27. The mounting assembly of claim 26, wherein said bracket member
comprises a unitary bracket member.
28. The mounting assembly of claim 19, wherein said bracket member
comprises a unitary bracket member.
29. The mounting assembly of claim 19, wherein said bracket member
includes a beveled portion around said second opening.
30. A mounting block assembly for mounting a workpiece holder to a
support structure, said mounting block assembly comprising: a
mounting member having a base portion and a support structure
receiving portion, said base portion being securable to the
workpiece holder, said support structure receiving portion defining
an opening for pivotally receiving the support structure at least
partially therethrough; a swivel member configured to be pivotally
received in said opening, said swivel member comprising a truncated
generally spherical shaped swivel member having a curved outer
surface for engaging an inner surface of said opening, said swivel
member defining a passageway therethrough for receiving the support
structure at least partially therethrough, said swivel member
comprising a reduced diameter portion of said curved outer surface
to facilitate insertion of said swivel member into said opening of
said support structure receiving portion of said mounting member,
whereby said inner surface of said opening is configured to
substantially retain said swivel member within said opening after
insertion of said swivel member into said opening.
31. The mounting block assembly of claim 30, wherein said swivel
member comprises a split member with a gap extending therealong,
said swivel member being flexible to adjust a clamping force on the
support structure received at least partially through said
passageway via expansion or compression of said gap.
32. The mounting block assembly of claim 31, wherein said reduced
diameter portion is generally along and adjacent to said gap.
33. The mounting block assembly of claim 32, wherein said reduced
diameter portion comprises a chamfered portion along and adjacent
to said gap.
34. The mounting block assembly of claim 33 wherein said mounting
member comprises a unitary mounting member.
35. The mounting block assembly of claim 30 wherein said support
structure receiving portion defines a gap at said opening, a
diameter of said opening being adjustable via compression and
expansion of said gap.
36. The mounting block assembly of claim 35 including an adjustable
fastener generally at said opening of said support structure
receiving portion, said fastener being adjustable to adjust a
clamping force of said support structure receiving portion at said
opening.
37. The mounting block assembly of claim 35 wherein said mounting
member comprises a unitary mounting member.
38. The mounting block assembly of claim 37 wherein said mounting
member defines a separation gap between a portion of said support
structure receiving portion and said base portion to facilitate
flexing of said support structure receiving portion to adjust said
diameter of said opening.
39. The mounting block assembly of claim 30, wherein said mounting
member comprises a unitary mounting member.
40. The mounting block assembly of claim 30, wherein said support
structure receiving portion of said mounting member includes a
beveled portion around said opening.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to mounting members
or brackets for a gripper or other workpiece holder and, more
particularly, to a mounting member or bracket which may receive or
attach to a gripper or workpiece holder and which is adjustably
mountable to a rod or support structure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Mounting brackets or blocks for mounting a gripper or
workpiece holder or the like to a support structure are well known
in the art. The mounting brackets engage a cylindrical portion of
the gripper and mount to a cylindrical support rod or arm. Some
mounting blocks or the like may attach to a portion of the gripper,
such as a rear plate or portion of the gripper. Such grippers or
workpiece holders are typically implemented at assembly lines or
other industrial applications and connected to support structures
along the assembly line or machines.
[0003] In order to provide pivotable adjustment of the gripper
relative to the bracket, while further providing pivotable or
rotational adjustment of the bracket relative to the support
structure, mounting brackets have been proposed which provide a
cylindrical opening at one end for receiving the gripper
therethrough and a second opening at the other end of the bracket.
A partial spherical collar may be rotatably received in the second
opening and may slidably receive a support rod or post. One known
mounting bracket design provides a two piece mounting bracket or
plate which is secured together by three fasteners, whereby the two
plates define both of the openings therebetween. Accordingly, in
order to insert the partial spherical collar into the opening of
the bracket and/or in order to adjust the position of the support
structure and the gripper with respect to the bracket, at least
two, and maybe all three, of the fasteners must be loosened to
loosen the clamping forces at both the support structure and the
gripper.
[0004] Another proposed bracket which provides rotational
adjustment with respect to the support post and pivotal adjustment
of the gripper with respect to the bracket provides a one piece
mounting bracket which defines a pair of openings which are
adjustable via a single fastener. However, loosening of the
fastener results in loosening of both the gripper and the support
post. Also, during assembly of the bracket, the fastener must be
substantially loosened and the bracket may have to be pried apart
to sufficiently enlarge the opening to receive a swivel member
therein for providing adjustable or pivotable attachment of the
bracket to a support structure or post.
[0005] Therefore, there is a need in the art for a mounting member
or bracket which overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention is intended to provide a snap in ball
member or swivel member for a gripper or workpiece holder mounting
bracket or a rear mounting block for a gripper or workpiece holder.
The bracket or mounting block may have an opening therethrough
which receives the swivel member. The swivel member may have a
chamfered portion or tapered edge which allows the ball member to
roll or snap into the opening of the bracket or mounting block. The
bracket may pivotally receive a gripper through one opening in the
bracket and pivotally or rotatably mount the bracket and gripper to
a support structure at the swivel member at another opening in the
bracket. The mounting bracket or block may be a single piece or
unitary bracket or block, which may have a fastener at each opening
for adjusting a clamping force at each opening of the bracket or
block.
[0007] According to an aspect of the present invention, a mounting
assembly for adjustably receiving a support structure includes a
mounting member and a swivel member. The mounting member has an
opening at least partially therethrough which defines an inner
surface. The swivel member comprises a truncated generally
spherical shaped swivel member having a curved outer surface for
engaging the inner surface of the opening of the mounting member.
The swivel member has a passageway therethrough, such as a
generally cylindrical passageway, for at least partially receiving
the support structure. The outer surface of the swivel member
includes a reduced diameter portion or chamfered portion to
facilitate insertion of the swivel member into the opening of the
mounting member, whereby the inner surface of the opening is
configured to substantially retain the swivel member within the
opening after insertion of the swivel member into the opening.
[0008] The swivel member may define a split member with a gap
extending therealong. The reduced diameter portion or chamfered
portion may be located generally along and adjacent to the gap. The
mounting member may define a second gap at the opening, with a
diameter and clamping force of the opening being adjustable via
compression and expansion of the second gap. The mounting assembly
may include an adjustable fastener generally at the opening. The
fastener may be adjustable to adjust a clamping force of the swivel
member on the support structure received at least partially through
the passageway via expansion or compression of the gap of the
swivel member and the second gap of the mounting member.
[0009] The swivel member may include a plurality of grooves
extending along the outer surface, whereby the grooves enhance
gripping of the swivel member within the opening. The inner surface
of the opening in the mounting member may have a curved surface
having an arcuate cross section for generally uniformly engaging
the outer surface of the swivel member when the swivel member is
inserted into the opening. The mounting member may include a
beveled portion around the opening.
[0010] In one form, the mounting member may comprise a mounting
bracket for mounting a workpiece holder to a support structure. The
mounting member may define a second opening for at least partially
receiving a mounting portion of the workpiece holder. The mounting
member may comprise a unitarily formed mounting member. The
mounting member may define a first gap at the opening for the
swivel member and a second gap at the second opening. The clamping
forces at the openings may be independently adjustable via
compression and expansion of the respective gaps.
[0011] In another form, the mounting member may comprise a rear
mounting block for a workpiece holder and may be configured to
mount to a portion of the workpiece holder. The mounting member may
comprise a base portion which is securable to the workpiece holder
and a support structure receiving portion for pivotally receiving
the swivel member. The mounting member may comprise a unitarily
formed mounting block. The mounting member may define a gap at the
opening in the support structure receiving portion, such that a
clamping force at the opening may be adjustable via compression and
expansion of the gap. The mounting member may define a second gap
partially between the base portion and the support structure
receiving portion to allow for flexing of the support structure
receiving portion relative to the base portion.
[0012] Therefore, the present invention provides a snap in swivel
member suitable for use with a unitary gripper or workpiece holder
mounting bracket or a rear mounting block for a workpiece holder or
other types of mounting brackets or mounting blocks. The swivel
member may allow for pivotable and rotational adjustment of the
mounting bracket or block or the like with respect to a generally
fixed support structure or rod or post or the like. Adjustment of
the support structure or post and/or the swivel member within the
opening in the mounting bracket or block may be performed via
adjustment of a single fastener. The lateral dimensions of the
unitary bracket of the present invention, and thus the material
required to make the bracket, may be reduced over the prior art,
since each fastener is positioned generally adjacent to the
respective opening in the bracket and does not extend laterally
outwardly of an outermost diameter of the bracket at which the
bracket engages and retains the gripper assembly. Because the
bracket or mounting block of the present invention may be a
unitarily formed bracket or block, manufacturing and assembly
processes of the bracket or block may be reduced.
[0013] These and other objects, purposes, advantages and features
of the present invention will become apparent upon review of the
following specification in conjunction with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mounting bracket assembly
in accordance with the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the mounting bracket
assembly of FIG. 1, with the swivel member partially inserted into
the respective opening in the bracket;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the mounting bracket assembly
of FIG. 2;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the mounting bracket assembly of
FIGS. 2 and 3;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the mounting bracket assembly
taken along the line V-V in FIG. 3;
[0019] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a rear mounting
block in accordance with the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 7 is an end elevation of the rear mounting block of
FIG. 6, with the swivel member partially inserted into the opening
in the block; and
[0021] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the rear mounting block taken
along the line VIII-VIII in FIG. 7.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] Referring now to the drawings and the illustrative
embodiments depicted therein, a gripper or workpiece holder
mounting bracket assembly 10 is adapted to mount a workpiece holder
(not shown), such as a gripper or other holder or tool or the like,
to a support structure (also not shown), such as a generally
cylindrical rod or post, or other elongated, generally cylindrical
support member (FIGS. 1 and 2). Mounting bracket assembly 10
includes a unitary bracket member 11, which defines a generally
circular opening 12, which may pivotally receive the workpiece
holder. Bracket member 11 also defines a second, generally circular
opening 14 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 5) for adjustably receiving a donut
swivel or swivel member or ring 16, which may receive the support
structure or rod therethrough. A fastener 18 is provided at the
opening 12 and may be adjustable to adjust a clamping force at
opening 12, while a second fastener 20 is provided at opening 14 to
adjust a clamping force at opening 14, as discussed below. Bracket
member 11 may be a unitary or unitarily formed bracket to ease
manufacturing and assembly of the bracket and to ease adjustment of
the fasteners and of the bracket relative to the workpiece holder
and support structure. Because the bracket member may be a one
piece structure, the swivel member 16 may include a tapered or
chamfered or narrowed diameter portion 16a (FIGS. 1, 2 and 4) to
facilitate assembly of the swivel member 16 to bracket member 11,
as also discussed below.
[0023] Circular opening 12 finctions to secure the gripper or
workpiece holder assembly therein when fastener 18 is tightened,
while providing adjustment of the gripper assembly relative to
mounting bracket 11 when fastener 18 is loosened. The workpiece
holder may be rotatably secured at a cylindrical portion of the
workpiece holder, which may be at a reduced diameter region, or at
an outer circumference of the workpiece holder body. The workpiece
holder may be a gripper of the type disclosed in commonly assigned,
U.S. Pat. No. 6,361,095 for ADJUSTABLE STROKE GRIPPER ASSEMBLY
(Attorney Docket CPI01 P-309), the disclosure of which is hereby
incorporated herein by reference, or may be any known gripper,
workpiece holder or other tool, holders or the like, such as
conventional gripper assemblies or the like, without affecting the
scope of the present invention.
[0024] Opening 14 has an arcuate cross-section, as shown in FIG. 5,
and functions to pivotally and rotatably receive and retain swivel
member 16 therein. The arcuate cross section of opening 14 defines
a curved surface 14a for engagement with an outer, correspondingly
curved surface 16b of swivel member 16. Swivel member 16 slidably
mates and swivels within the opening 14 via generally uniform
engagement of outer surface 16b with inner curved surface 14a of
opening 14. Swivel member 16 thus is adjustably or pivotally
received within the opening 14 and provides a generally cylindrical
passageway 17 therethrough which is adapted to slidably receive a
generally cylindrical rod or post or support for adjustably
mounting the bracket to the post. Swivel member 16 thus forms a
pivot or swivel collar on a conventional mounting rod or post.
Bracket 11 may include a beveled portion 14b along one or both
faces or surfaces at one or both sides of mounting bracket 11, to
increase the pivotal movement of mounting bracket 11 relative to
the support structure, as discussed below.
[0025] Swivel member or donut swivel 16 is a truncated generally
spherical member, which includes outer, curved or partially
spherical surface 16b and an inner, annular surface 16c which
defines the generally cylindrical passageway 17 through swivel
member 16. Swivel member 16 may be a split ring having a gap or
slot 16d extending along swivel member 16 to allow flexing of
swivel member 16 to decrease or increase the diameter of the
passageway 17 via compression or expansion of gap 16d. This allows
swivel member 16 to tighten its grip on the support structure as
swivel member 16 is compressed within opening 14, as discussed
below. Swivel member 16 may also include a plurality of notches or
grooves 16e extending along its outer surface 16b which function to
enhance gripping of swivel member 16 at arcuate or concave inner
surface 14a of opening 14.
[0026] Swivel member 16 is configured to be snapped or rolled into
opening 14 of mounting bracket 11. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4,
swivel member 16 includes chamfered or tapered portion 16a at one
side of gap 16d. Chamfered portion 16a facilitates insertion of
swivel member 16 into opening 14 without having to pry the opening
apart or open to receive swivel member 16 therein. As best shown in
FIG. 4, swivel member 16 may be positioned partially within opening
14, such that chamfered portion 16a is positioned generally within
opening 14 and engages the inner surface 14a of opening 14 inward
or adjacent to the beveled portion 14b around opening 14. Swivel
member 16 may then be pressed or urged toward and into opening 14
and thus may be pivoted about the contact area of chamfered portion
16a and inner surface 14a of opening to roll or snap swivel member
16 into opening 14, whereby chamfered portion 16a provides a
reduced diameter portion or swivel member 16, which allows swivel
member 16 to fit into opening 14 of bracket member 11. When
positioned within opening 14, outer surface 16b of swivel member 16
engages inner concave surface 14a of opening 14. Swivel member 16
may thus be pivoted within opening 14 until oriented such that the
support structure or rod may insert into the generally cylindrical
passageway 17 of swivel member 16. Inner curved surface 14a defines
reduced diameter outer ends which function to retain swivel member
16 within opening 14, whereby swivel member 16 may swivel or pivot
within opening 14, but will not readily move outward from opening
14.
[0027] Although described as defining a curved or arcuate opening
14 having concave or curved inner surface 14a, it is envisioned
that the mounting bracket member may define an opening or
passageway which is generally cylindrical and which is further
defined by a plurality of ridges or ribs extending therearound at
or towards the outer ends of the opening. The chamfered or narrowed
diameter portion of the swivel member may engage one of the ribs
during insertion of the swivel member in the manner described
above. The ribs engage corresponding portions of the outer curved
surface of the swivel member and retain the swivel member in the
opening, while allowing for rotation and pivotal movement of the
swivel member relative to the bracket, without affecting the scope
of the present invention.
[0028] Mounting bracket 11 defines a gap 22 at opening 14 and a
generally cylindrical bore through portions 22a, 22b of bracket 11
at either side of gap 22 for receiving fastener 20 therethrough.
The outward portion 22a of bracket 11 may have a generally
cylindrical bore, while the inward portion 22b may have a threaded
bore for threadedly securing fastener 20 therein. Fastener 20 may
be tightened or loosened within the bore in bracket portions 22a,
22b to adjust gap 22 and, thus, to adjust a clamping force on
swivel member 16 within opening 14. Swivel member 16 may also flex
to adjust a clamping force on the support structure or rod via
expansion and contraction of gap 16d of swivel member 16 in
response to adjustment of fastener 20 and gap 22 of mounting
bracket 11.
[0029] Similarly, mounting bracket 11 also defines a second gap 24
at opening 12 and a generally cylindrical bore through portions
24a, 24b of bracket 11 at either side of gap 24 for receiving
fastener 18 therethrough. One portion 24a of bracket 11 may have a
generally cylindrical bore, while the other portion 24b may have a
threaded bore for threadedly securing fastener 18 therein. Fastener
18 may be tightened or loosened within the bore in bracket portions
24a, 24b to adjust gap 24 and, thus, to adjust a clamping force on
the workpiece holder positioned within or partially within opening
12. The cylindrical bores at bracket portions 22a, 24a may be
countersunk at an outer end to allow the heads of fasteners 20, 18
to at least partially seat within the countersunk portion. The
fasteners 20, 18 may include a lock washer 26 or the like to
facilitate rotational movement of the fastener heads against
bracket 11 and to substantially retain the fasteners in the desired
position to retain the clamping force at the desired level for the
respective opening.
[0030] Because bracket 11 may be unitarily formed or a unitary or
one-piece bracket, the assembly processes of the bracket assembly
may be reduced. After the bracket is formed or cast, the swivel
member may be rolled or pressed or snapped into the opening in the
bracket as described above, and the fasteners may be loosely
threaded into their respective bores. No further assembly processes
or positioning of multiple bracket components may be required to
assemble the bracket assembly of the present invention.
[0031] During use of mounting bracket assembly 10, the workpiece
holder may be positioned at least partially within opening 12 and
may be at least initially pivotable therewithin, prior to
tightening of fastener 18. Swivel member 16 is rolled or snapped
into and positioned within opening 14 and is similarly at least
initially pivotable therewithin prior to tightening of fastener 20.
When fastener 18 is tightened, gap 24 may be compressed, which
results in an increase in clamping force on the workpiece holder or
the like positioned within opening 12. Likewise, as fastener 20 is
tightened, gap 22 along bracket 11 may be compressed to increase
the clamping force on swivel member 16 and thus on the support
structure, in order to clamp and secure the support structure
within and relative to bracket 11. The grooves 16e of swivel member
16 finction to enhance gripping of swivel member 16 within opening
14 as fastener 20 is tightened in bracket 10. This reduces the
torque requirement to get sufficient clamping of swivel member 16,
and thus of the support structure or post, by bracket 11. Swivel
member 16 may also or otherwise be roughened to further enhance
gripping, as is known in the art, without affecting the scope of
the present invention.
[0032] As best seen in FIG. 3, bracket 11 is formed such that the
portion of bracket 11 that has the greatest width is generally at
the larger circular opening 12 in bracket 11. Fastener 20 is
received at the smaller opening 14 at a location that is laterally
inward of the outermost portion of bracket 11, while fastener 18 is
received and positioned in an orientation that is generally
transverse to fastener 20 and that is also laterally inward of the
outermost portion of bracket 11. Accordingly, the lateral
dimensions of the bracket assembly may be reduced, and thus the
material required to make the bracket may be reduced, because the
fasteners are positioned and inset laterally inwardly of an
outermost diameter of the bracket which engages and retains the
workpiece holder or gripper.
[0033] Referring now to FIGS. 6-8, a rear mounting assembly 110 for
mounting a workpiece holder (not shown) to a support structure or
rod or post (also not shown) includes a unitary mounting block 111.
Mounting block 111 includes a base portion 112 and a support
structure receiving portion 113 extending from base portion 112.
Support structure receiving portion 113 defines a generally
circular opening 114 for pivotally receiving a donut swivel or
swivel member or ring 116, which may receive the support structure
or rod therethrough. A fastener 120 is provided at support
structure receiving portion 113 at or near opening 114 to adjust a
clamping force at opening 114 via compression and expansion of a
gap 122 in support structure receiving portion 113 of mounting
block 111 at opening 114. Mounting block 111 may be a unitarily
formed block to ease assembly of rear mounting block assembly 110
and to ease adjustment of fastener 120 and of mounting block 111
relative to the support structure. Because mounting block 111 may
be a unitary or one piece structure, swivel member 116 includes a
tapered or chamfered portion or narrowed diameter portion 116a to
facilitate assembly of the swivel member 116 to mounting block 111,
as discussed below.
[0034] Mounting block 111 is configured to mount to a portion of a
workpiece holder or gripper, such as via fasteners or the like
through mounting apertures 112a in base portion 112 of mounting
block 111. The workpiece holder may be a gripper or any other type
of holder or the like, such as a gripper of the type disclosed in
commonly assigned, U.S. Pat. No. 6,361,095 for ADJUSTABLE STROKE
GRIPPER ASSEMBLY, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated
herein by reference, or may be any known gripper, workpiece holder
or other tool, holders or the like, such as conventional gripper
assemblies or the like, without affecting the scope of the present
invention.
[0035] Opening 114 has a partial spherical or arcuate
cross-section, as shown in FIG. 8, and functions to pivotally and
rotatably receive and retain swivel member 116 therein. The arcuate
cross section of opening 114 defines a curved inner surface 114a
for engagement with an outer, correspondingly curved surface 116b
of swivel member 116. Swivel member 116 slidably mates and swivels
within the opening 114. Swivel member 116 thus is pivotally
received within opening 114 via generally uniform engagement of
outer surface 116b with inner curved surface 114a of opening 114.
Swivel member 116 provides a generally cylindrical passageway 117
therethrough which is adapted to slidably receive the cylindrical
rod or post or support for movably mounting the bracket to the
post. Swivel member 116 thus forms a collar on a conventional
support rod or post. Support structure receiving portion 113 may
include a beveled portion 114b along an outer face or surface 113a
to increase the pivotal movement of mounting block 111 relative to
the support structure.
[0036] Swivel member or donut swivel 116 is a truncated generally
spherical member, which includes outer, curved or partially
spherical surface 116b and an inner, annular surface 116c which
defines the generally cylindrical passageway 117 through swivel
member 116. Swivel member 116 may be a split ring having a gap or
slot 116d extending along swivel member 116 to allow flexing of
swivel member 116 to decrease or increase the diameter of the
passageway 117 via compression or expansion of gap 116d. This
allows swivel member 116 to tighten its grip on the support
structure as swivel member 116 is compressed within opening 114.
Swivel member 116 may also include a plurality of notches or
grooves 116e extending along its outer surface 116b which function
to enhance gripping of swivel member 116 at arcuate or concave
inner surface 114a within opening 114.
[0037] Swivel member 116 is configured to be snapped or rolled into
opening 114 of support structure receiving portion 113 of mounting
block 111. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, swivel member 116 includes
chamfered or tapered portion or reduced diameter portion 116a at
and along one side of gap 116d. Chamfered portion 116a facilitates
insertion of swivel member 116 into opening 114 without having to
pry the opening open to receive swivel member 116 therein. As best
shown in FIG. 8, swivel member 116 may be positioned partially
within opening 114, such that chamfered portion 116a is at least
partially within opening 114 and engages inner surface 114a of
opening 114, such as adjacent to beveled portion 114b around
opening 114. Swivel member 116 may then be pressed or urged toward
and into opening 114 and thus may be pivoted about or rolled along
the contact area of chamfered portion 116a and inner surface 114a
to roll or snap swivel member 116 into opening 114, whereby
chamfered portion 116a provides a reduced diameter portion of
swivel member 116, such as at or near gap 116d, which allows swivel
member 116 to roll and fit into opening 114 of support structure
receiving portion 113 of mounting block 111. Base portion 112 of
mounting block 111 may include an aperture 112b therethrough to
provide clearance for swivel member 116 to be inserted generally
sideways into support structure receiving portion 113 (as shown in
FIGS. 7 and 8), and to provide clearance for an end of the support
structure received at least partially through swivel member 116.
When positioned within opening 114, outer surface 116b of swivel
member 116 engages concave surface 114a of opening 114. Swivel
member 116 may be pivoted within opening 114 until oriented such
that the support structure or rod may insert into the generally
cylindrical passageway 117 of swivel portion 116. Inner curved
surface 114a defines reduced diameter outer ends which function to
retain swivel member 116 within opening 114, whereby swivel member
116 may swivel or pivot within opening 114, but will not readily
move outward from opening 114 of block 111.
[0038] Although shown and described as defining an opening 114
having a curved or arcuate or concave surface 114a, it is
envisioned that the support structure receiving portion 113 of the
mounting block may define an opening or passageway which is
generally cylindrical and which is further defined by a plurality
of ridges or ribs extending therearound at or towards the outer
ends of the opening to engage corresponding portions of the outer
curved surface of the swivel member, and to retain the swivel
member in the opening while allowing for rotation and pivotal
movement of the swivel member relative to the mounting block,
without affecting the scope of the present invention.
[0039] Support structure receiving portion 113 of mounting block
111 defines gap 122 at opening 114 and a generally cylindrical bore
through portions 122a, 122b at either side of gap 122 for receiving
fastener 120 therethrough. One portion 122a of mounting block 111
may have a generally cylindrical bore, while the other portion 122b
may have a threaded bore for threadedly securing fastener 120
therein. Fastener 120 may be tightened or loosened within the bores
in portions 122a, 122b to adjust gap 122 and thus to adjust a
clamping force on swivel member 116 within opening 114. As can be
seen in FIGS. 6 and 8, mounting block 111 defines a slot or gap 128
between base portion 112 and support structure receiving portion
113 along a portion of support structure receiving portion 113 that
defines gap 122. The separation gap 128 allows support structure
receiving portion 113 to flex relative to base portion 112 and to
expand or contract gap 122 in response to adjustment of fastener
120. Swivel member 116 may also flex to adjust a clamping force on
the support structure or rod via expansion and contraction of gap
116d of swivel member 116 in response to adjustment of fastener 120
at support structure receiving portion 113 of mounting block 111.
One of the block portions, such as portion 122a, may be countersunk
at an outer end to allow the head of fastener 120 to at least
partially seat within the countersunk portion. The fastener 120 may
include a lock washer 126 or the like to facilitate rotational
movement of the fastener head against the mounting block and to
substantially retain the fastener in the desired position to retain
the clamping force at the desired level at opening 114.
[0040] Because mounting block 111 may be unitarily formed or a
unitary or one-piece block, the manufacturing and assembly
processes of the mounting assembly may be reduced. After the block
is formed or cast, the separation gap between the base portion and
the support structure receiving portion may be machined or cut. The
swivel member may be rolled or pressed or snapped into the opening
in the support structure receiving portion as described above, and
the fastener may be loosely threaded into the threaded bore. No
further assembly processes or positioning of multiple components
may be required to assemble the mounting block assembly of the
present invention.
[0041] During use of mounting block assembly 110, base portion 112
of mounting block 111 may be secured to a workpiece holder, such as
via fasteners or the like. Swivel member 116 may be snapped into
and positioned within opening 114 and may be at least initially
pivotable therewithin prior to tightening of fastener 120. When
fastener 120 is tightened, gap 122 along support structure
receiving portion 113 may be compressed to increase the clamping
force on swivel member 116 and thus on the support structure, in
order to clamp and secure the support structure within and relative
to mounting block 111 and the workpiece holder. The grooves 116e of
swivel member 116 finction to enhance gripping of swivel member 116
within opening 114 as fastener 120 is tightened in support
structure receiving portion 113 of mounting block 111. This reduces
the torque requirement to get sufficient clamping of swivel member
116, and thus of the support structure or post, by mounting block
111. Swivel member 116 may also or otherwise be roughened to
further enhance gripping, as is known in the art, without affecting
the scope of the present invention.
[0042] Although shown and described as being implemented with a
unitary mounting bracket or mounting block, it is envisioned that
the snap in swivel member of the present invention may be suitable
for use in other brackets or mounting assemblies. For example, the
snap in swivel member may be implemented with multiple piece
bracket assemblies, such as the type disclosed in U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/756,424, filed Jan. 8, 2001 by Attee for
GRIPPER MOUNTING BRACKET (Attorney Docket CPI01 P-310), which is
hereby incorporated herein by reference, or any other type of
mounting bracket or rear mounting block or the like.
[0043] Therefore, the present invention provides a snap in swivel
member suitable for use with a unitary gripper or workpiece holder
mounting bracket or a rear mounting block for a workpiece holder,
or with other types of brackets or mounting blocks. The snap in
swivel member may be snapped into a fully assembled or unitary
bracket or mounting block. The snap in swivel member of the present
invention is thus particularly suited for use in unitary brackets
and/or mounting blocks, such as described above, because the
bracket or mounting block does not have to be assembled around the
snap in swivel member. The swivel member may allow for pivotable
and/or rotational adjustment of the mounting bracket or block or
the like with respect to a generally fixed support structure or rod
or post or the like. Adjustment of the support structure or post
and/or the swivel member within the partial spherical opening may
be performed via adjustment of a single fastener.
[0044] Because the bracket or mounting block of the present
invention may be unitarily formed or a unitary bracket or mounting
block, manufacturing and assembly processes of the bracket assembly
or mounting block assembly may be reduced. Additionally, the
lateral dimensions of the unitary bracket of the present invention,
and thus the material required to make the bracket, may be reduced,
because each fastener is positioned generally adjacent to the
respective opening in the bracket and does not extend laterally
outwardly of an outermost diameter of the bracket at which the
bracket engages and retains the gripper assembly.
[0045] Changes and modifications in the specifically described
embodiments can be carried out without departing from the
principles of the present invention, which is intended to be
limited only by the scope of the appended claims, as interpreted
according to the principles of patent law.
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